My Rat's Tale

What my rat taught me about joy.

Early one morning, I entered my kitchen and found a persimmon and an apple partly gnawed. Bits of persimmon skin were splattered on my kitchen counter. Horrified and disgusted, I shrieked for my husband. He called the exterminator.

The exterminator verified that it was a rat, not a mouse. He set three rat traps with chocolate, commenting that rats love chocolate. (A chocoholic myself, I pretended not to hear that I have any affinity with repulsive rodents.)

Although I'm always the first one up and the first one to enter the kitchen, the next morning I cowered in our bedroom until my husband went to dispose of the dead rat without my having to see it. Call me a sexist, but it's manifest to me that removing dead rats is a man's job, and all the women I know, even staunch feminists, agree.

Finally my half-asleep, pajama-clad husband dutifully made the rounds of the three traps and reported to me: No rat.

However, another persimmon had been gnawed. And under the dairy sink, I found droppings. The rat had entered the under-sink cabinet from below, through the open space around the drainpipe, and had been feasting on our garbage. I shivered and called the exterminator again.

He moved two of the traps into the cabinet, right next to the drainpipe. The third he left under the refrigerator.

"No rat is that smart."

The next morning, as I tried to recite my morning prayers in my room, with my mind on the squished rat under my kitchen sink, my husband again checked and reported: No rat.

"Let's give it another night," my husband suggested. "No rat is that smart."

The next morning, the kitchen was flooded with an inch of water. The rat, apparently thirsty, had gnawed a hole in the plastic tubing to our water filter. The hole was barely two feet away from the shunned trap under the refrigerator.

I called the exterminator again. He was baffled. He had been catching rats for 27 years with those very same chocolate-baited traps. No rat had ever before eluded him.

This time he came with a pump sprayer filled with rat repellent. We knew the rat was living under the cabinet, in the three-inch space between the cabinet and the floor. First the exterminator put a trap right in front of the hole near the wall that the rat had been using to enter that space. Then he started spraying under the sink, right into the circle around the drainpipe. We waited for the rat to escape out his hole right into the waiting trap.

We waited. And waited. No rat.

Eventually, the exterminator said he had other work to do, and excused himself. My husband went to his Talmud class. I went to my computer, two rooms away, and tried to work. Two hours later, I heard a trap spring.

"Finally," I thought. I waited, cringing by my computer, for my husband to come home and remove the dead rat. When he entered the kitchen, he reported: The trap beside the hole had indeed sprung, but there was no trace of a rat. Somehow the rat had managed to move the trap, thus setting it off, and had scampered to freedom -- somewhere else in the house.

For the next two days, there was no sign of the rat. While our nighttime ritual now included locking our fruit bowl in the oven and the ripening tomatoes in the microwave, I decided to leave one persimmon on the kitchen floor, to determine whether the rat was still with us.

The next morning, I found the persimmon, gnawed, on the floor on the far side of the meat counter. At my wits' end, I called the exterminator for the fourth time -- a record in his long career of eliminating vermin. While we were loathe to cause suffering to any of God's creatures -- even a rat -- and had preferred the traps because they killed quickly, now in desperation I told the exterminator to bring poison.

He came armed with two glue traps and three kinds of poison. He found a large hole a few inches away from the gnawed, schlepped persimmon. Clearly, the rat had found a new home beneath the meat counter. It had only one exit. The exterminator put two packets of poison that take three days to work inside the hole. Then he set the two glue traps outside the hole, so that it would be impossible to exit the hole without getting caught. Then he put fast-acting poison powder on the gnawed persimmon, and placed it on the first glue trap, so that the rat, instead of dying a slow and gruesome death from the glue trap, would eat the poisoned persimmon and die quickly. Just for good measure, in case the rat was hiding elsewhere, he put another poisoned persimmon on the other side of the glue traps. It was a comprehensive, foolproof system.

It didn't work. The next morning my husband reported: No rat, and the persimmons had not been touched.

Incredulous, we stood there staring at our infallible, failed system. Clearly, something uncanny was happening here. Since God runs the world, and all normal means to eliminate this rat had failed, perhaps God was trying to tell us something. But what?

I went to ask Rabbi Mordechai Sheinberger, a Kabbalist who lives in our neighborhood. Looking straight at me, he declared: "You need a tikkun [spiritual rectification]."

"Me?" I asked, chastened. "What tikkun do I need?"

"What does the rat say in Perek Shira?" Rabbi Sheinberger queried. Perek Shira is an ancient poem, attributed to King David, in which every creature and natural phenomenon, from the sky to the desert, from rivers to lightening, from snails to whales, praises God with a particular Biblical verse which hints at the essence of that creation.

A friend closely following my rat saga had called me that morning with the startling news: In Perek Shira, the rat proclaims, "Kol haneshama tihallel Yah, Halleluyah!-- The entire soul praises God. Hallelujah!" This is the final, and perhaps most exalted, verse in the Book of Psalms. And it is ascribed to the rat!

I stared at him as if he had uncovered a secret vice hidden even from me. Complain? Me? I'm no kvetch.

Rabbi Sheinberger continued. "The sages read the verse with slightly different vowels to mean that with every breath you should praise God. Every one of us has received such a wealth of blessings that we should be making a feast of gratitude to God every day. If we don't do that, at the very least we should be praising God with every breath."

I went home, my mind spinning. If I want to get rid of the rat, I need to praise God with every breath and stop complaining? Do I kvetch that much?

That night I removed both glue traps. I left one persimmon laced with the fast-acting poison. In the morning, there was no sign of the rat, and the persimmon was untouched.

As usual, I walked my nine-year-old son partway to school. My son hates this 40-minute walk, which his pediatrician recommends for a variety of reasons. As usual, he stalled, and resisted, and walked at a snail's pace. When my husband returned from synagogue after his morning prayers, I went to greet him with a report about my frustrating morning.

Somewhere between my bedroom and the front door, Rabbi Sheinberger's words flashed through my mind. I realized: This is complaining! I turned my frown into a wide smile, and greeted my husband with an enthusiastic, "Good morning! Isn't it a wonderful morning to be alive? Kol haneshama tihallel Yah, Halleluyah!"

Five minutes later I found the rat, dead behind our refrigerator.

THE PERKS OF DEPRESSION

I did not realize how much I complained. I thought I was simply reporting: my frustrations with the children, how difficult it was to find a parking space, how the new cordless telephone, one week after the warranty expired, stopped working. My newly-installed, post-rat complaint radar, however, detected an incessant habit of framing experiences negatively.

I asked myself, Why? Since how we perceive situations is a choice we make, why would anyone choose misery?

On our Brandeis campus, if you weren't depressed, there was something wrong with you.

The answer is part ego, part culture. In television adventure shows, a character's cleverness/resourcefulness/heroism stands out only in relation to the difficulty of the problem s/he faces. The heroes of "Mission Impossible" were heroes only because their mission was almost impossible.

My ego must have internalized this point early on: If I wanted to be regarded as clever/resourceful/heroic, I was compelled to emphasize the difficulty of the situation facing me. After all, how would my husband know what an expert mother I am if I didn't apprise him of the childrearing calamities I had to deal with today? How would my friend know what a forbearing and saintly person I am if I didn't tell her the challenges I face from my neighbor?

In addition, my cultural indoctrination insists that people who always smile are somehow shallow. Don't they keep up with current events -- with current wars, famines, and epidemics? What could they possibly be happy about?

As a college student in the sixties, studying melancholic poets from Baudelaire to T.S. Eliot, I somehow assimilated the notion that people who are depressed are deep. In fact, on our Brandeis campus, if you weren't depressed, there was something wrong with you.

JOY AND JUDAISM

Judaism has a diametrically opposite approach. Many think that the Jewish emphasis on joy dates back to the 18th century advent of Hasidism. In fact, the Torah itself makes a startling pronouncement. After prophesizing terrible punishments that the Jewish people will have to endure, the Torah proclaims that all this will come upon us "because you did not serve God, your Lord, with joy…" [Deut.28:47]

Why should the Torah consider the greatest detriment to divine service to be sadness rather than sin?

If a Jew is connecting to God through the mitzvot, the result, by definition, will be joy.

The Jewish definition of joy is: connection and union, specifically the connection and union of opposites, such as male and female, heaven and earth, Divine and human [see Alei Shur p. 325). If a Jew is connecting to God through the mitzvot, the result, by definition, will be joy. Conversely, if there is no joy, there is no real connection.

Imagine that your beloved surprises you with a getaway to a paradisiacal place. Brightly colored parrots are squawking in the palm trees. A crimson sun is setting into a crystal blue ocean. Your beloved presents you with a bouquet of roses -- no, orchids! Then s/he places down before you a basket filled with ripe fruit: pineapples, mangoes, papayas, figs. Sitting atop the fruit is a large box of Belgium chocolates. (Don't forget, this is my fantasy!) Let's say that you sat there morosely complaining because s/he didn't serve you steak. What does that indicate about the relationship?

But this is precisely the world God has conjured up for us! Sunsets and orchids and daisies and mountains and butterflies and parrots and kittens and mangoes and strawberries and, yes, cocoa beans! Every complaint about what we don't have is a slap in the Divine face, a failure of perception more grievous than any failure of action. If we don't perceive, from moment to moment, how much God loves us and how much He is giving us as an expression of that love, then we are relinquishing the relationship with Him for which purpose, according to Judaism, He created the world.

LEARNING TO PRAISE GOD

My post-rat life has a different hue; somber tones have given way to bright splashes of color. Now when people ask me how I am, I reply, "Terrific!" and mean it, without worrying if they'll think I'm shallow or vacuous. I'm not embarrassed to be happy.

Praising God with every breath is a prescription not only against rat infestation, but against every sort of sadness. The process has four steps:

Look for the good in the thing or situation facing you. Set your mind to noticing the details.

Recognize that everything comes from God, who animates the entire creation -- every muscle, neural impulse, and atom -- at every millisecond.

Recognize that God has given this thing or situation specifically to you, because He loves you --individually. Experience the connection.

Connection breeds joy. Feel it and thank God!

A contemporary sage recommends the following exercise: Before you eat a fruit, hold the fruit in your hand and contemplate the process God animated in order for you to have that particular fruit. For example, hold a tangerine in your hand, and reflect on how from a tiny tangerine seed, a sapling grew. Over a span of years, God provided lots of sunshine and water so that the sapling would grow into a tree.

Then, last spring, hundreds of flowers -- with an intoxicating fragrance -- bloomed on the tree. Gradually the flowers fell away and a tiny, green fruit emerged. Over a period of eight months, the fruit grew larger and larger. Then it turned a bright orange color.

Then someone picked it, and packed it, and shipped it to the store where you bought it. And God was behind this whole process, just to present you with this tangerine. Then say the blessing, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree." Then, with your eyes closed, bite into a section of tangerine. Relish its sweetness, its texture, its juiciness, its vitamin C (coming just when you need it in winter), and the way each tiny module of juice is individually packaged. Then relish God's love for you that is expressed in this gift.

After two weeks of practicing this exercise, I'm experiencing what the psalmist meant by, "Taste and see how good is God." Every bunch of grapes has become like the fancy box of candy my husband gives me on our anniversary -- a personal expression of tremendous love and caring. The world's greatest joy -- the joy of being in a relationship with a loving God -- is never further away than my fruit bowl.

THE PREPOSTEROUS QUESTION

Years ago, I took a small group of women to get blessings from the tzaddik Rabbi Emanuel Cohen.* While the first woman met privately with the tzaddik, the rest of us sat in the living room with his wife, Rebbetzin Devorah Cohen [See Holywoman] Rebbetzin Devorah was a Holocaust survivor who, at the age of 20, had lost her entire family in Auschwitz. She never had any children, had lived in abject poverty all her life, and was never without a smile.

The women must have looked glum, because Rebbetzin Devorah encouraged them saying, "Don't worry. Each of you will receive the blessing you came for."

One woman, who was having marital problems, asked: "Yes, but how can we be happy while we're waiting for the blessing to materialize?"

Rebbetzin Devorah looked shocked. "How can you be happy?" she asked incredulously. "How can you not be happy? You have eyes and they see. You have ears and they hear. You have legs and they take you where you want to go. How can you not be happy?"

It took 12 years for me to internalize Rebbetzin Devorah's recipe for happiness. Catching on to the secret of happiness was even harder than catching a rat.

*This name is a pseudonym, to protect the anonymity of the tzaddikim.

Coming to Israel? The Riglers invite you to their home for "An Enchanted Evening in the Old City," with a Broadway-style musical show. For more information, click here.

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About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of Heavenprints, as well as the bestsellers: God Winked: Tales and Lessons from my Spiritual Adventures, Holy Woman, Lights from Jerusalem, and Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller). She is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Canada, and over thirty American cities. A graduate of Brandeis University, after fifteen years of practicing and teaching meditation and Eastern philosophy, she discovered "the world's most hidden religion: Torah Judaism." Since 1985, she has been living as a Torah-observant Jew in the Old City of Jerusalem with her husband and two children. She presents a highly-acclaimed Marriage Workshop for women [seewww.kesherwife.com] as well as a Gratitude Workshop. To invite her to your community, please write to info@sararigler.com.

Visitor Comments: 60

(58)
Anonymous,
May 20, 2013 3:33 PM

Mice or rates, the same thing.

I have mice in my apartment, which don't seem to want to go away. No matter the "cure", they are here every day. Sometimes I think it's because they like my cooking!!! For several years now I have been a very unhappy person. The reasons for this are many, as with most people. There is a difference between the concepts of happiness and joy; one that I have been searching for. After reading your article, I will be employing your formula, to find the joy in my life, and hopefully the happiness will follow. B"H for your suggestion and inspiration.

(57)
DM,
May 19, 2013 3:16 PM

Respect all God's creatures

Whether human or animal all life is created by God and therefore deserves our respect and reverence. While this story teaches us all a noble lesson, to revere a life God created dictates a more humane way to remove an unwanted rodent - a humane trap to catch the rat and relocating him in the wild so he can live out his natural existence. Has anyone thought of that?

(56)
Jatinder Vijh,
July 1, 2011 5:33 AM

Inspiring Story

What we think is what we get. The world outside is the projection of the world inside us. Thank you for sharing.

(55)
michael,
May 31, 2011 9:16 PM

BE HAPPY

Your process of 4 steps are very close to those recommended in The Garden of Emunah by Rabbi Arush which I am reading while being beside my wife in hospital while she recovers from serious spinal surgery.The same week I was handed a booklet by a Breslev follower titled BE Happy.In a short period I have tried to follow the advice of both publications with amazing results considering the uncertainty of my wife's progress.Trying to be a happy inspiration to her as well as "producing"a happy feeling in me(not forgetting tehilim and prayer) have resulted in remarkable achievements in her condition in a short time.
P.S.As I drove toward the hospital today I "got happy" and begged Hashem to show me a vacant parking close to the entrance.Within minutes I found it.

(54)
Anonymous,
May 31, 2011 4:50 AM

Incredible

Sara Yoheved Rigler, I have a tremendous respect for you. I gained an incredible amount from reading this article, so much so that it literally changed me. I found an ant in my house interrupting my business and a attempted to kill it, i thought it was dead and carried on. Several hours later i saw the same ant and i again attempted to kill it but unsuccessfully. Taking your lesson to heart, i looked up perek shira to find what the ant says and sure enough it is right above the rat, and the ant says look to the ant and see his ways and learn from it. An ant is known to be hardworking and the antithesis of lazy, my goal at this point to is take that lesson from the ant, to combat my laziness and gain a new appreciation for hard work. Thank you so much for your utterly practical article.

(53)
Anonymous,
May 30, 2011 2:56 PM

You have given me a new perspective on why I have also had rats in my house, although it is a problem in our area. I am sure I complain much more than I am aware of!
Just wanted to let you know, if you stuff steel wool in hole...make sure it is in there very tight, rats and mice can't get in. They can chew through just about everything, except steel wool!

(52)
Anonymous,
May 30, 2011 10:55 AM

grateful

thank you, your story is really not just a story of happiness, it is a story of being grateful to HaSh-m for all he has given and gives us.

(51)
Anonymous,
May 30, 2011 8:35 AM

Perek Shira, cats and rats

Thank you for the enlightenment about Perek Shira. I also felt sorry for the rat. If one has a cat who bites a rat that had eaten poison, the cat will also be poisoned. Rats have helped fellow rats who are blind. The blind rat holds onto a stick, and the seeing rat uses takes hold of the stick in his mouth and guides the blind rate. Find compassionate and humane ways to relocate the rats.

Sarah Dinah,
May 31, 2011 3:58 AM

Compassion for all of G-d's creatures

I agree, it really isn't necessary to kill rodents. I have raised birds for years, and with birds come mice. I could never get rid of them, but was also unwilling to kill them. Humane traps stopped working, and I didn't know what else to do. Then someone told me about these plug-in rodent repellants that emit a low sound that keeps rodents away. I had had mice in my various homes for twenty years, but with these plug ins, no more. There is a way to keep unwanted creatures out of the home without killing them.

(50)
susannah garbutt,
May 30, 2011 3:33 AM

brilliant!

I thoroughly enjoyed Sara Yoheved Rigler's article about the rat and joy. It is a great message for everyday living. She makes everything clear, while I sink into depressed thoughts, I can see, I can hear, I can walk and what else to complain about?

(49)
Anonymous,
May 29, 2011 7:20 PM

I live in México, my comunity is desapearing

Sorry for my english, but I'm mexican. I live in a city where the drug dealers kill people every day. We had a beatiful school, kosher store, sinagoge, classes, all what you needed to be Jewish and happy. It's a very old community (Monterrey). Now, every body is leaving. To the USA, or other places. My husband lost all his money, and it's impossible for us to move from here. Thanks G'd my children are living in different parts of the world. I really feell very lonely, I'm very depresed to see my community desapear, specialy because there are a lot of children (63) here and they need a Jewish education. I know they can't leave. Is not easy when there's no job and no papers to move from here.
I miss my children, they don't want to come anymore, they're adults with jobs and responsabilities, thy're afraid and I understand that. One child was kidnapped last week, we still don't know why and I guess we'll never know.
This comunity works for Wizo, Keren Kayemet, Keren Hayesod, etc. Has a program for the children for Hajshará, etc. But now... we're loosing everything.
I see my life changing. I have a very strange illnes. I found here doctors who are taling good care of me and I don't have to pay (because of my insurance) if I change my residence... I don't know what will hapen. My children are very worried about us, but I don't want to be a burden for them. They have a lot in they're hands too.
I'm really worried about my community, I think we'll loose a lot, because they're not making aliah, they're just changing they're place of residence. (USA basically)
I'm asking for help for this community. Idon't want to see it loose what it gained, We have very important people all over the world, who were educated here.
Thanks,
I don't know if this is the place for askin help, but this is th place I feell I can find some one who'll understand me.
Thanks a lot
God bless all of you for your work

(48)
ruth housman,
May 29, 2011 2:53 PM

RATS

I have to respond to this by pointing out that the word RATS backwards in English is STAR, and I was thinking as we drove from Montreal back to Boston, that we are all of us stars. There is this sports group known as The All Stars, and so we are, too. We had been in Montreal to watch the musical, Lies My Father Taught Me, featuring Theodor Bikel and a fabulous cast, including children. He is ninety, and a true star.
As to whatever crosses our path, look and think about it, as in this story. The American Indian has a lore of information that is within their wisdom about the meaning of animals. In fact, all cultures do contain such treasures.
YES, think about it, read about it, and realize, what happened, happened for a reason, and even when it seems, really upsetting, there just might be something about that persimmon, which is very tart, that is also, very sweet, to eat.

(47)
Roy Maduro,
May 29, 2011 2:08 PM

Rat story

I really had to laugh while reading the rat story as I once had an exterminating business, and know that rats can be very smart...

(46)
Anonymous,
May 29, 2011 1:28 PM

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
We are so grateful to you, Sara Yoheved. May Hashem bless you and your family a thousandfold!
You are an inspiration!
Best wishes,
Zelda Cutler

(45)
Daisy,
February 24, 2006 12:00 AM

Wonderful!

I am in my school's computer lab right noow, waiting while a group of computer techs attempt to fix my brand new, top of the line, very expensive laptop - which suddenly stopped working. 3 hours and 6 techs later, and they still have no idea what the problem is. Clearly, this has nothing to do with my computer, and everything to do with God.
I complain too much. God has been whispering it to my heart lately.
My life is great. My God is great. How can I not be happy?!

(44)
Lindsay,
February 12, 2006 12:00 AM

Wow!

I don't like mice and/or rats either but Sara's experience with the rat in her house reminded me to be truly happy about what God gives me. I shouldn't complain because of something or other because at least (knock on wood) I have my health. An excellent article to be shared and recommended highly!

(43)
Anonymous,
February 9, 2006 12:00 AM

The Best Article!

Over the years I've brought printed out and brought home for my wife many articles from the Internet. after reading this one last night, she said "This is the best article that you have ever brought home, it's awesome, I love it!".

(42)
Anonymous,
February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

Wonderful!!
Thanks!!

(41)
Chana Levi,
February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

Oh, rats!

I have had a phobia about rats ever since the age of five when, in our old house, I saw one under a bed. We stared at each other in mutual shock and I have never forgotten the experience. Although that was half a century ago, I still feel total revulsion at the thought of rats. I almost didnt read this story because of it but did so only because I knew if Sara Rigler wrote it then it would be worth reading. Now I am so glad I did as its message was so inspiring. We should all try to complain less and appreciate more.
I recently attended a women's shiur about Tu BeShvat where we learned we should appreciate the amazing abundance and varieties of fruit Hashem gives us. He could have made just apples but instead we have dozens of different, delicious types of fruit.
I wish to respectfully disagree with Anonymous about having compassion on the rat. Yes, they are Hashem's creatures but they are also carriers of vermin and caused the Black Plague resulting in the deaths of millions of human beings. They also eat huge amounts of wheat and other crops that could feed starving people. The world is not only for people but Hashem gave us permission to rule over animals, with compassion of course. Yes, rats can live and be happy. Just as long as it's not inside my house.

(40)
Anonymous,
February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Praise and thank God, but have compassion on the rat

I learned a lot about not complaining, thanking God, and appreciating the blessings and miracles around us. I also thought I was doing so, but realized that the desire to be understood and appreciated can take the form of complaining. In a work context or unappreciative human relationship, one often has to describe the difficulties one has overcome in order to justify one's salary or a raise.

I also learned a lot about Perek Shira. I found the understanding of the cause of complaints to be deeply insightful.

However, there are humane ways to relocate rats. I felt terrible to read that the rat died. I hope it did not suffer. I hope the author's home can be repaired so creatures are not tempted to re-enter. We have to remember that human beings have taken away much natural habitat from animals, birds, fish and other of God's creatures, and they deserve to live, eat, drink and be happy, too. This world is not only for people.

(39)
Shoshana_Dvora,
February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

This is a great article! According to Anonymous 2/5/2006, it's "nonsense" and suggets that this article suggests we should call a Kabbalist instead of an exterminator if there's a rat in the house. Last month I opened my bedroom door and there ws a big rat 2 feet away from me! I shrieked, then called an exterminator. Andnthen I got to thinking about what it meant to me. Judaism wamnts us to do real,practical physical things to solve our problems (such as calling an exterminator, as both the author and I did. But we must also use these problems to find a deeper meaning in life. Things happen to us for a reason, or atleast we canuse our issues to grow in humanity and spirituality. my exterminator told me the rat would be dead in 24 hours....I wasn't rat free until 3 days later. I still wonder if I had 2 rats or one tought New York rat. But i learne just what wonderful friends I had who let me stay at their place over Shabbat on short notice, rather than letting me stress over Shabbat. In that way, the rat was a bracha and I hope he's happy in Rat Heaven

(38)
Nomlas Fisher,
February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

a great writer

Shalom; I will not complain again, Thank you!! N.Fisher, Vancouver,B.C.Canada.

(37)
MARY WENTE,
February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

WONDERFUL

i truly enjoyed reading the article. I also, didn't realize we do complain thinking we are not. I will do more smiling and be grateful for everything. Thanks.

(36)
Judy Gruen,
February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

a timely "tail"

We also have rats! And mice! I will now have to go find out what the mice had to "say" about the Almighty. Most of our traps (set with peanut butter) also remain empty. . . What a timely story!

Wow - this article really spoke to me. Thank you, Sarah Yocheved, for gently yet poignantly reminding all of us to appreciate the infinite goodness that Hashem bestows upon us every day. Great suspense and drama in the writing as well!

(32)
Tova Saul,
February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

unexpected ending

Hi, Sarah-----It's me, Tova. I thought the ending would be that the rat went away. I was jarred by the fact that it died, and couldn't read the rest, although I probably need to, with my pessimistic attitude towards people. I suggest to anyone with rodent problems to get a cat, and then the rodents just stay away. And-------Take good care of the cat.

(31)
shoshi Tenowitz,
September 12, 2005 12:00 AM

What a brilliant ratty story!

Evry time I read an article of yours I get cold shivers,your genuine,care and warmth comes across very strongly and you write with good wit

(30)
Jennie Hoffleith,
July 20, 2005 12:00 AM

AH...... so even a lowly rat can teach us......laugh...

Well! Well ! Well! NEVER have I heard a story like this one. It is absolutely profound. Somewhere I read that the foolish things of the world shall confound the wise.....this fits.

Yes! Our society thinks its COOL to complain about everything and everyone. Its sophisticated, worldly wise. I truly believe people do not stop or take time to listen to themselves and what they are saying, or why there's a need to say it.

Actually,happy smiling people aren't always very well liked. There's a kind of jealousy, or the thinking is that the always smiling person must be a reject or mentally challenged. A fool.

We should work really hard to stop complaining and count our blessings instead.

It is best to light a candle rather than to curse the darkness!

Thank You Sara! I enjoyed this article more than words can ever convey.

(29)
Anonymous,
December 20, 2004 12:00 AM

Thank you for the insight into why Hashem sends rats into the house

I feel blessed for having found your story on the internet. Our home has rats, we don't know how many. The exterminator has got about 18 rats and there are more. So my family decided we should check into the spiritual meaning of their presence in our home. That is how we found your story. Just a minute ago, one of my sons was afraid to go into the bathroom. Armed the rat's shira he went and came back safely. Everything Hashem does is for good.

Best wishes from the entire family,
Miriam Porush

(28)
Miryam,
February 7, 2004 12:00 AM

Todah Rabah!

This has sat in my e-mail inbox for nearly two months, and then today I read it and was reminded for the third time in the last 24 hours that I need to cultivate a thankful heart.

I have been guilty of complaining--not that I'd ever have described myself as a complaining person. The truth is I have allowed my "lack" to obscure the infinite miracles that are with me daily--the miracle of life, of sight, the creation that choruses praise around me.

I have no children, and my husband is supposed to be unable to have and has been unwilling to adopt, and I yearn for a child--one to raise in Torah and bring the light of Torah to this world. Yet there are so many who call me Mom, even though they have mothers of their own. Good mothers too, I might add. I need to be grateful for the all the lives I have been privileged to touch, spiritually and other wise.

And I need to appreciate the volumes of blessings that have been gifted to me. Thank you so much for this. I *know* it will make a difference in my life.

(27)
Anonymous,
February 3, 2004 12:00 AM

Yishar Coach!
Enjoyed reading your story and the encouragment to be happy...

(26)
Anonymous,
January 19, 2004 12:00 AM

Poor rat

Am I the only o0ne who admired the rat's chutzpah and felt sorry that it died?

Auriel,
May 20, 2013 7:06 PM

One smart rat

I was rooting for the rat and felt so sorry for him. I understood her story but was hoping for a happy ending for all. As a child I saw the slow painful death of a mouse my parents poisoned and said never again. I go the humane route myself.

(25)
Shira Sokol,
December 12, 2003 12:00 AM

This is the BEST article I have ever read about "attitude"!

As one who "reports" on negative situations, I definitely needed this tikkun.

(24)
Baruch,
December 11, 2003 12:00 AM

Amazing

This article is a cry from the bottom of the heart and is a complete refutation that being in a state of "competitivness, hyperactivity, and greed" that is so common in the Jewish community is somehow a "progressive" thing. As someone dealing with the depression and aggressivness of the banking industry I identify with this article wholeheartedly, It is just too bad that I do not have the courage to act upon that.

(23)
lisa,
December 11, 2003 12:00 AM

awesome story

this story was the bomb.it made me look at life totally different, and it made me change the way i think and speak. but most of all it made me more grateful. thanks for an eye opening story

(22)
Mr.E,
December 10, 2003 12:00 AM

Thanks,

Thanks for a wonderful article. Awe-inspiring

(21)
jon krauss,
December 10, 2003 12:00 AM

deep thoughts

as i was reading the article i was engaged into this story. towards the end i was going to look who the author was. once again sara rigler touched my soul with these deep thoughts.

(20)
Shira Levin,
December 10, 2003 12:00 AM

A lesson on joy

It is a lesson I needed to learn today.
I am having a difficult time being inbetween jobs. The bills still come and
have to be paid. So I too needed to learn that one should still practice joy.

(19)
jaide,
December 10, 2003 12:00 AM

I found the article both informative and inspirational. I discovered many similarities between the experiences of the writer and those of myself. This article serves as both a reminder to believers of what is truly important in life, and also serves to educate the world (non-believers alike) that all life must be appreciated for their intended puposes; that praising God need not be a scheduled event; that all experiences, personal or otherwise are lessons for all, promoting growth of mind and spirit. Oftentimes we take our lives and basic abilities for granted. It is human nature to forget and perhaps, be ingrates. Let us hope that this article extends beyond its reading. We were blessed with free will. We therefore have the choice to reread this article if per-chance we find ourselves dwelling on the negative.

(18)
Ilana Rachel Wald,
December 10, 2003 12:00 AM

Superb!

It is very well thought out and hits the spot. Brachim.

(17)
Ariella,
December 9, 2003 12:00 AM

Thank you so much

This was exactly the story I needed to read right now. In the midst of great abundance I have been struggling to find joy because of my divorce. Thank you for showing me exactly what I need to rediscover happiness in my life. Ariella

(16)
Rachel,
December 9, 2003 12:00 AM

i sincerely enjoyed this.... she expresses what i've been trying to tell
some of my friends. that instead of counting their tales of woe, they
need to find the joy in life. particularly, when one of them -- a woman
who owns her own home, has a job, health insurance and many things she
wants, including her mother's love, asked me how in the face of
everything which has gone wrong in my life i could still be happy and
cheerful..... you see, i have cushings disease, no health insurance, i
lost my job in December 2001, found another in june of 2002, lost it in
november -- both because of job cuts, not my performance, and yet i
smile....

why? because i see miracles around me everywhere i look. a tree
stretches its branches to the sky and unfurls beautiful green leaves in
spring -- upon which the sun and sky shine. when the morning rises, dawn
stretches her curious fingers of light across the heavens -- first bits
of pearl grey, then lavenders, pinks, golds and suddenly the morning is
here.... all around me is gd. and the creation.

yes. life is hard. yes, i sometimes cry and demand to know why it has to
be this difficult. because it is extremely difficult. but... that isn't
all there is. and life is also about contrast. life, health -- this
requires balance.

the bright light in the eyes of my dogs and their affection. ..... life
is here and now.

so i smile.

....... pain is a message something isn't quite right, fix it or face it
somehow and then move on.....

(15)
Anonymous,
December 9, 2003 12:00 AM

wonderful article

This is a beautiful and timely article, and has opened a whole new way of appreciating to me. I am normally a very positive person and full of gratitude, but this takes me to new heights. I will spend time thinking and imagining what the other animals could be saying and teaching me. Your web site is always inspiring.

(14)
Leah,
December 9, 2003 12:00 AM

Amazing! Sara Yocheved does it again!!

This is one article that besides emailing it to everyone I care about is worth pasting on the wall where it can be seen everyday! Ms. Rigler is right on target. We kvetch and kretz and feel sorry for ourselves when we should be finding everything and anything we can be grateful for. We are called YEHUDIM {Jews}, from the root, TODAH, {Thanks} because we are supposed to be thankers! My theory is: whatever you do alot of, G-d will say, "Oh, you like to (---). So I'll give you what you need to do it some more." Would you rather fill in that blank with "kvetch" or "thank". It's up to you. Thanks again, Sara Yocheved. Can't wait for more!

(13)
Victoria Frank,
December 9, 2003 12:00 AM

What a great rat's tale.

You will never believe what you have done for me with your rat's tale.I have been very sad about my situation at home and for some reason I decided to read my E-mail.First of all,I said to myself that "rat's tale" is the last thing I want to hear.I wanted to ignore it but couldn't.The more I read it the more angry I became because I thought it was just a stupid story.Not knowing what awaits ahead;I continued and found myself laughing so hard that tears were running down my face."What a smart rat" I said.Then when I got to the last part I was already praising G-D for taking care of my sadness through a great story. Now Iam saying "KOL HANE SHAMA TIHALLEL YAH,HALLELUYAH.

Thank you so much.

(12)
Anonymous,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

THANK YOU!

This article was one of the most refreshing I've read in a long time. The story brings the point home so much louder. Thank you for helping me wake up to all the blessings I have!

(11)
Anonymous,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

Thank you again Ms. Rigler for such solid yet shining inspiration. I am always looking forward to the next article!

(10)
Anonymous,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

Now I know what I can do about my own misadventure with a rat.

Thank you! Now I know what I can do about my own misadventure with a rat. The message fits me much too well.

(9)
Jennifer Kohn,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

A wonderful article, one that I will share with many unhappy people who can only benefit from its profound sweetness and wisdom. Thank you for helping me to turn an unhappy day into a happy one, by reminding me just why I am here.

(8)
Michal,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

Your article made me smile and understand!

Dear Mrs. Rigler,
your article arrived just at the right time. First I really enjoyed the rat-story, then it struck me and touched my heart. I too complain a lot. I hope to change it. Thank you for sharing your experience and thank you for the way you shared it. Happy Hannuka for you and your family!

(7)
Anonymous,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

unbelievable

Thank you so much for a beautiful and very inspiring article.

(6)
Guy Gold,
December 8, 2003 12:00 AM

A Timely Blessing

God's timing is always perfect, I have known this, thank you for the wake up call.

(5)
Beverly Kurtin,
December 7, 2003 12:00 AM

The best part of waking up...

...is waking up! What a wonderful treat Sara has given us. Thank you!

People always amaze me with their seemingly endless ability to see the dark side of life while ignoring the incredible gifts with which the Almighty has lavished on us.

This article is a genuine "keeper" for me. I'm going to spread it around like butter.

(4)
Marlene Miller,
December 7, 2003 12:00 AM

Rats are excellent teachers!

Thank you, Sara, for reminding me that anyone and everyone -- yes, even a rat -- can teach me something! And thank YOU and Rabbi Sheinberger for this incredible lesson!

As commenter Beverly Kurtin said, "This article is a genuine 'keeper' for me. I'm [also] going to spread it around like butter."

(3)
liliana,
December 7, 2003 12:00 AM

both deep and amusing

your article is so amusing and deep at the same time. you have such a simple way to say difficult things and such difficult goals as "happiness" appear so easy in your words!
thank you
Liliana, from Italy

(2)
Anonymous,
December 7, 2003 12:00 AM

great story Sara!

Dear Sara, What a story! Have you heard a similar true tale involving Rabbi Haber, related in Paysach Krohn's newest book? His home was infested with scorpions that the exterminator could not get rid of! Finally, he went to speak with Rabbi Chaim Pinhas Sheinberg, who quoted Perek Shira, and said the scorpion sings about rachamin, compassion, and maybe they had to work on that. Immediately, Rabbi Haber realized that the poor person he and his wife had befriended had been abandoned when they moved to a new apartment. So he searched for Berel on every street corner in Jerusalem until he found him and invited him to their home for a meal. The scorpions disappeared!

(1)
Anonymous,
December 7, 2003 12:00 AM

Who would have ever thought an elusive dead rat could bring us closer to God?

This fills 8 absorbing pages of a real life story whose message beats pain medicine.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...